Marouane Fellaini out until January

Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini will be out of action until next month, according to the Sunday Telegraph.

The 30-year-old has missed United’s last five matches with a knee injury and is now set to miss at least another six fixtures, starting with this afternoon’s game at West Bromwich Albion.

United have reportedly decided that Fellaini needs a longer period of rehabilitation and ruled him out of the entire festive period.

That raises the prospect of the Belgium international having already agreed to join another club before he plays his next game. He is out of contract at the end of the season and yet to agree an extension, which means he will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with any overseas club from January 1.

Fellaini suffered medial collateral ligament damage on international duty with Belgium in October. He returned to action against Chelsea a month later, but aggravated the injury.

He played through the pain barrier in United’s following three games, but has now out of action ever since.